Albon "shares many of the same virtues" as Verstappen - Horner
Red Bull Formula 1 driver Alexander Albon "shares many of the same virtues" as his teammate Max Verstappen when it comes to coping with pressure, team principal Christian Horner says.

Albon, who will partner eight-time grand prix winner Verstappen at the main Red Bull outfit in 2020, had endured a topsy-turvy pre-F1 junior career that included a difficult three-year stint in two-litre Formula Renault and an exit from Red Bull's junior programme.
He had begun 2018 without the budget for a full season in Formula 2, but ended it with a Nissan Formula E deal, which he then swapped for a late Toro Rosso call-up that yielded a subsequent mid-season promotion to Red Bull.
Asked about the expectations for Albon's 2020 campaign on the heels of what is a rare straightforward off-season for the Anglo-Thai racer, Horner said: "It's probably the first time since his karting career that he's had that.
"He'll only benefit from that. He's had a lot of adversity to deal with during his career.
"And I think, you see people's make-up in adversity and I think he's shown that determination, that character, and I've got no doubt he'll benefit from stability now.
"And he shares many of the same virtues that Max has with that ability to cope with pressure, that determination."
Though Albon has so far not run Verstappen that much closer than his Red Bull predecessor Pierre Gasly, he proved a more consistent points-scorer and more adept in race trim, and was only denied a maiden podium in Brazil by a penultimate-lap clash with Lewis Hamilton.
Read Also:
"There's no specific goals [for 2020], he's just got to continue his development," Horner said of Albon.
"You've seen every race he's done with us, he's just got better and better. And I mean, he was unlucky in Brazil, but I think he's driven brilliantly well - first year, two [different] teams plus the pressure of coming here and having Max Verstappen as your teammate.
"He's handled that really well. I think he's impressed the whole team with his approach and his attitude, with his feedback, with his pace that continues to grow."

Previous article
Revealed: Design secrets of the iconic Lotus 79
Next article
The unseen side of F1 life that must not be ignored

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Alex Albon |
Teams | Red Bull Racing |
Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Albon "shares many of the same virtues" as Verstappen - Horner
Trending
The Silver Arrows Story: Mercedes W09
Scuderia Ferrari Filming Day Backstage Footage
Back to Work | Valtteri Bottas' 2021 Seat Fit
F1 Explained | Mercedes Power Unit
The mantra Ocon must follow to challenge Alonso at Alpine
OPINION: It's been an uneasy ride for Esteban Ocon since his F1 comeback - and fresh challenges lie in wait as he's joined by double world champion Fernando Alonso in the newly rebranded Alpine team. STUART CODLING sets out a roadmap to success…
Why Haas is willing to sacrifice its 2021 F1 season
Every Formula 1 team is facing the same difficult decision this season: how do you split precious aero development time between the current car and the all-new 2022 project?
The big questions of F1 2021 - Karun Chandhok
After an unprecedented season last year, there are plenty of questions and storylines for the upcoming Formula 1 campaign. Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok gives his verdict.
How McLaren F1’s new investors have already made an impact
The deal McLaren concluded with MSP Sports Capital last year which will help the cash-strapped Formula 1 team pay for much-needed infrastructure upgrades, also points toward the future for F1 itself, says GP Racing's Stuart Codling.
Why Verstappen isn't interested in the hype game
In a pre-season where Red Bull has been unusually quiet, Max Verstappen has also been guarded about the team's fortunes in 2021. Even after trying the RB16B for the first time at Silverstone, the Dutchman was careful to manage expectations
The pros and cons of F1's 2021 rule changes
In the strategy for grand prix racing's future, 2021 represents a significant step towards the goal of closer racing and a more level playing field. That's the theory behind the latest raft of changes, but will they have the desired effect?
What Red Bull is trying to hide with its RB16B launch
Red Bull made no secret of the fact its 2021 F1 car is an evolution of its predecessor, but in keeping the same foundations while hiding some tightly-guarded updates with its RB16B, the team aims to avoid suffering the same pitfalls of previous years
How Albon plans to fight his way out of Red Bull limbo
Alex Albon has faced the media for the first time since he lost his Red Bull drive at the end of 2020 and dropped out of a Formula 1 race seat altogether. He has a history of bouncing back from setbacks, so here's what he must do to rise again